MasukHe took a step toward her, slow and predatory. "There will never be another. Not while I breathe. Not while I exist."His voice dropped lower. "I would burn every kingdom to ash before I let another man look at you, Sera. Do you understand me?"Sera didn’t move. Her breath quickened. Not in fear, bu
She reached for his arm—He jerked away. "I left because the rut was coming. Because I knew if I stayed, I’d mark you with another child and destroy the last pieces of you I hadn't already taken.""Rhazien—""No." His eyes burned, voice rising like a storm ready to split the world. "You think I don’
The citadel had gone quiet for the night.Lioren had taken the last shift patrolling the outer hall, his boots silent against the stone. Even the flames in the sconces burned low, as if the mountain itself held its breath.Sera had watched him earlier from the nursery doorway, the way his small fram
“Then we find another way,” she said. “Mortals have ways to—”“No.”His voice was final, sharp as a blade. “We’re not talking about root teas or salves. I know what my body is capable of. I know what I’ll take from you if I lose control.”“You didn’t lose control. Not even once.”He shook his head s
It had been weeks since the birth, yet the mountain still felt like it held its breath—like every stone and shadow remembered the moment blood painted its halls. The air remained thick, not with smoke or heat, but with silence. A silence that pressed down, weighty and expectant, as though waiting fo
"So will I."Rhazien, watching from a short distance, didn’t speak. But he inclined his head once—slight, solemn. A gesture full of unspoken meaning.It was the closest thing to a blessing he’d ever given.And this time, Lioren didn't flinch from it.He straightened his spine.Sera watched him for a
Alina had not dismounted.She sat rigid on her horse at the rear of the envoy, a single gloved hand clenched around the reins as if the act of holding still was the only thing keeping her from unraveling. Her jaw was tight, her posture immaculate, as if perfect composure could erase the blood they a
And for once, they didn’t speak.They didn’t need to.Their bodies, breath, and bond said everything.∞∞∞Later, when the fire outside the room stirred and the light shifted against the stone, they still hadn't moved far.Sera lay draped across Rhazien’s chest, her ear over his heart, listening to i
He hadn’t known peace in centuries, and now he breathed like a man who had finally laid down his sword.And he was terrified.Terrified she might run. Terrified he was giving too much. But even more afraid he hadn’t given enough. That no vow could ever reflect what she had carved into him.She walke
There was no fire.No roaring skies or molten vows. No blazing circles of power or ancient rites that demanded blood and bone. No declarations etched in flame or ceremonies passed through generations of scaled kings. No council gathered to murmur judgment. No sneering eyes hiding behind polished arm







